FISH PADDA OR FISH PICKLE

FISH PADDA

Fish Padda or Fish Pickle is an old Anglo-Indian favourite that was made in most homes in the olden days. The summer months are a good time to make this delightful, tangy, pungent fish pickle. It could be stored in the fridge for a long time as the vinegar helps to preserve it. It tastes awesome with just steamed rice and Pepper water or Dol Curry (Dhal) or eat it with chapattis or bread.

Ingredients

500 grams sardines or small mackerels or any other small fish cut into fairly big pieces

3 tablespoons chopped garlic

2 tablespoons chopped ginger

3 tablespoons chillie powder

1 teaspoon garlic paste

1 tablespoon cumin powder

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon mustard powder

2 teacups vinegar

20 or 25 curry leaves

½ liter oil Sesame oil or mustard oil

Salt to taste

Marinate the fish with turmeric powder & salt for half an hour. Fry the fish lightly in either sesame oil or mustard oil, for 5-8 minutes. It should only be slightly crisp. Remove & keep aside.

In the same oil add the curry leaves, chopped ginger and garlic and fry for a few minutes. Mix in the garlic paste, chillie powder, cumin powder, mustard powder and salt and fry with a little vinegar till the oil separates from the mixtures and gives out a nice aroma. Add the rest of the vinegar and the fried fish and mix well . Simmer for 2 more minutes then take down.

Cool and store in bottles. This pickle will last for about 6 months.

Note; Instead of fresh fish, Salt fish can be used instead.